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 ‘Typewriter heaven’ holds steadfast in Glenwood Springs – The Sopris Sun 

Tucked away in one of the alleyways of Glenwood Springs is a “typewriter heaven,” where hundreds of machines are refurbished by one of the few remaining typewriter specialists in the state, or even the country, and his 57-year-old cockatoo, JJ.

Darwin Raymond of Raymond’s Office Machines and Supplies goes through countless typewriters every year, spending hours and hours taking them apart and overhauling to make them as good as new. He’s giving old typewriters a new lease on life, one character at a time.

His customers come from all over — Wyoming to California to Ohio and all of the way across the pond in Europe, including from Crimea, Germany, England and even the Czech Republic. The shop is home to countless typewriters, but which one is Raymond’s personal favorite? The Olympia SG1 model from the late 1950s. “It is the best typewriter that’s ever been made. In quality, ease of use and the features it has. It has more features than any of them in the day. It’s my very favorite,” Raymond said as he showed off the typewriter. This model houses a 36-inch carriage, one of the biggest for manual typewriters ever made. Darwin discovered the typewriter in his father’s old shed six years ago and comes with an interesting story. It was originally bought by a dairy businessman named Hank Williams who had to have forms filled out which only the biggest cartridge could carry. “I don’t know how it got back to my dad's old shed, but I completely refurbished it to its original form." Right next to the biggest typewriter is what Raymond called the “littlest” portable typewriter made: the Bennet, made in the early 1910s. All of these were carefully dismantled, cleaned, lubricated and parts replaced if needed, as Raymond makes sure it is returned to factory specifications. Raymond sources his rubbers, for instance, from a specialty shop in New York, but, often, he even hand makes the missing parts himself. Raymond’s grandfather, Veron, started a printing business in Aspen over a century ago, that would eventually evolve into the Raymond Office Machines and Supplies shop we know today. The Aspen shop went to Raymond’s dad and namesake before they moved it to a location in Glenwood Springs, just a few blocks away from where the current shop stands. Darwin Sr. inherited the printing company, sold typewriters and office machines, but alas was not able to fix them. Then came along Dawin Jr., who learned firsthand from a travelling repairman how to fix typewriters. It would become a passion that would consume him for decades to come. “Ever since I was a small boy, I gravitated towards mechanical stuff,” he recalled. “Real early, I remember, all I wanted was an old typewriter to take apart. That’s what I wanted for my birthday. I didn’t want anything else.” 

Raymond has seen the rise and fall of many office supplies throughout the decades, from typewriters to bulky printers. However, there has been quite a resurgence in interest for typewriters in recent years. That keeps Raymond busy, from selling typewriters on Ebay to repairing countless machines every year. The once-utilitarian tool of journalists and administrators, among other professions in times past, has become of keen interest among today’s younger generation. Raymond speculated this may be attributed to screen fatigue experienced by many individuals. “They are getting tired with their iPads and phones. They love the feel of the typewriter,” he shared. “I’m getting quite a few for the younger people that are enthralled with the typewriter.”

While interest in the machines themselves is increasing, Raymond lamented that there aren’t enough people willing to take the time to learn the specialty craft of repairing and refurbishing typewriters. Each refurbishment is a labor of love. One won’t make a fortune doing the craft, with numerous hours left unbilled so as to figure out unique challenges each typewriter brings. Raymond said he remains uncertain what the future of the craft or the shop will be. He ended on a relatively sad note, recognizing that JJ, the staff cockatoo, might well outlive him (cockatoos can live up to 90 years in human years).

 But he assured readers that he will keep going as long as he can. He is fully aware of his part in helping preserve a piece of history, and excellently at that. It’s a legacy he wants to be remembered for. “I love what I do so much that it’s not a challenge. It’s a labor of love and there’s always something new to learn."

For more on Raymond’s Office Machines and Supplies, visit www.raymondsofficemachinesandsupplies.com